Preekstoel in de kathedraal van Fribourg in Zwitserland 1837

John Bachmann created this print of the pulpit in Fribourg Cathedral in Switzerland sometime in the mid-19th century. The image offers a meticulous view of the gothic structure, emphasizing its ornate details and imposing presence. Prints like this one played a vital role in shaping cultural perceptions of religious architecture in 19th-century Europe. As travel became more accessible, such images allowed people to experience faraway places and architectural wonders from the comfort of their homes. The act of depicting and circulating images of sacred spaces also had implications for how religious institutions were perceived. By making these spaces accessible to a wider audience, prints helped to democratize the experience of encountering religious art and architecture. To fully understand this image, it is helpful to delve into the history of printmaking and its relationship to cultural institutions. Researching the archives of printmakers and publishers, examining period guidebooks and travel accounts, and analyzing the social and political contexts in which these images circulated help to show us just how images like this shaped cultural values.